Idle Aussies must gear up for Eden Park showdown
After the Gabba washout Michael Clarke's men will face the rampant
Black Caps in Auckland The abandonment of today's World Cup match
between Australia and Bangladesh means next weekend's anticipated
blockbuster in Auckland assumes even greater significance.
Both teams left the Gabba this evening with a championship point
apiece after the 68mm of rain that fell on Brisbane from 9am today
finally put paid to any hopes of play getting underway and the match was
abandoned at 4.45pm without a ball bowled.
While the weather, the offshoot of the violent tropical cyclone
Marcia that lashed the Capricorn Coast yesterday, left cricket fans in
the Sunshine State disappointed it also caused some potential
consternation within the Australia camp.
While aware of Bangladesh's capacity to inflict an upset, the hosts
would have banked on taking the points at a ground where they've not
been beaten in a Test match since 1988 and where their fast bowlers have
traditionally dined out.
But the decision that rain was the winner and the points would be
shared means Michael Clarke's team head across the Tasman tomorrow to
prepare for a showdown with the tournament's form team, New Zealand,
with just one competitive match under their belts in two weeks.
It will also mean Clarke's long-awaited return from a two-month
injury lay-off will come a week later than planned in the most
competitive group match Australia is likely to face.
The hugely anticipated day-night match at Eden Park next Saturday
will effectively decide which team finishes on top of Pool A and
therefore has the most straightforward path into the knockout round,
with a potential quarter-final meeting with Pakistan, Zimbabwe or
Ireland.
By contrast, the team that finishes second in Pool A could find
themselves tackling the West Indies, reigning champions India or even
early favourites South Africa to win through to the final week of the
tournament.
Today's non-result in Brisbane also potentially adds additional spice
to Bangladesh's upcoming clash with struggling England in Adelaide on
March 9, as Eoin Morgan's team face the real prospect of missing out on
the quarter-final stage given they (along with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan
and Scotland) are yet to register a win in Pool A. |